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Washable Pads Wick Moisture Away

I am a pediatric home care nurse and I care for a little guy with a G/J-tube. We now use Calmoseptine® cream on his site to address the irritation around the tube from drainage/leakage. We then put a washable G-tube pad over the site, which wicks the moisture away. I make them for him and his site is so much better!

Cher’s Washable G-tube Pads

The pads are made from two wicking fabrics, like fleece and hemp terry, and then covered with a layer of waterproof polyurethane laminated fabric (PUL) so that the drainage doesn’t leak onto clothing. The fleece is usually the fabric closest to the skin. The pads are circular with a slit halfway up to allow the pad to be placed around the tube. It is then secured by a plastic resin snap. I make them in 2.5” and 3” sizes and sometimes add an extra absorbent layer for heavy drainage. The edges are secured with an overlock stitch to prevent fraying.

The pads are machine washable and can be put in the dryer. He’s been using them for a year, and his pads are still holding up pretty well! If someone wants to purchase pads, or wants information on how to make them, they can e-mail me.

Also, if someone has a special request for something to be created to solve a problem, they could contact me with the specifics. I really enjoy helping solve some of the problems these special little ones have!

Editor’s note: another version of a G-tube pad is available at My ButtonBuddies, www.mybuttonbuddies.com. Like Cher’s pads, ButtonBuddies are circular, absorbent cloth pads designed to be worn around a G-tube; are washable and reusable; and are approximately 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter. The ButtonBuddies Web site notes, “Because ButtonBuddy pads are so cute and colorful, they make the G-tube ‘button’ look less scary than white medical gauze to the G-tube child, his/her playmates and anyone the child interacts with. ButtonBuddies look less like a bandage or a ‘boo-boo.’ With ButtonBuddies, children with G-tubes can have something special for themselves in a happy and positive way.” The Web site also notes that ButtonBuddies are available in various flesh tones for adults.

This website is an educational resource. It is not intended to provide medical advice or recommend a course of treatment. You should discuss all issues, ideas, suggestions, etc. with your clinician prior to use. Clinicians in a relevant field have reviewed the medical information; however, the Oley Foundation does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented, and is not liable if information is incorrect or incomplete. If you have questions please contact Oley staff.

Updated in 2015 with a generous grant from Shire, Inc.

This website was updated in 2015 with a generous grant from Shire, Inc. This website is an educational resource. It is not intended to provide medical advice or recommend a course of treatment. You should discuss all issues, ideas, suggestions, etc. with your clinician prior to use. Clinicians in a relevant field have reviewed the medical information; however, the Oley Foundation does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented, and is not liable if information is incorrect or incomplete. If you have questions please contact Oley staff.